City of Mill Creek

The City's annual Veterans Day Ceremony and Parade returns on Friday, November 11, and will include several special events to "Honor All Who Serve" in the United States Military. 

The Commemorative Ceremony at Veterans Monument at Library Park (15429 Bothell-Everett Hwy) begins at 9:00 a.m. The ceremony will include remarks from Chaplain Nick Lewis, Mayor Pro Tem Stephanie Vignal, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, Senator John Lovick, and Representative April Berg. A presentation will follow, including raising of the colors by Mill Creek Police Department Officers and Veterans Sean Conner, Todd Bridgman, and Scot LaRose with Bugler George Moffat. In addition, local Girl Scout troops will distribute flowers to be placed at the foot of the Veterans' Monument.

Retired WWII Veteran Lieutenant Commander Russ Hupe of the United States Navy will be honored as Grand Marshal for this year's parade. Mr. Hupe (age 101) is a Cogir of Mill Creek resident. As a Naval Aviator, he has had many adventures, but one wish remained, said Jackie Reindal, Activity Director at Cogir of Mill Creek. "Russ has always dreamt of riding in a sidecar." Now, Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers will help Mr. Hupe's dream come true as he rides with Exec. Somers in his blue & cream '98 Ural Deco 750 sidecar as Grand Marshal of Mill Creek's 2022 Veterans' Day Parade. 

The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. making its way through Mill Creek Town Center from L.A. Fitness (15024 Main Street) south to City Hall (15728 Main Street) and will last approximately one hour. The parade will feature military and high school bands, color guards, vintage & military vehicles, and community organizations, including Veterans and their families. A complete listing of parade participants can be viewed at millcreekwa.gov/veteransday. 

"We are delighted to bring back this iconic event," said Communications and Marketing Coordinators Scott Harder & Jody Hawkins. "We've spent months working with our dedicated committee and are genuinely thankful for their leadership and direction." 

The Veterans Day Committee includes:

• Executive Advisor Larry Beach - U.S. Army, 1967-1970; 525 Military Intelligence Group, Vietnam; 111th MI Group, Fayetteville, NC
• Gary Walderman - USAF Veteran & Executive Director of Heroes Café
• Ahmad Alrawi - Staff Sergeant U.S. Army, Deputy Station Commander, Lynnwood Recruiting Station
• Kittie Lafazia - Disabled U.S. Army Sergeant Vietnam Era Veteran, American Legion Officer Post 127
• Michael Nickerson - Sergeant First Class U.S. Army, Lynnwood Recruiting Station
• Sergeant Bart Foutch - Mill Creek Police Department
• Barb Heidel - Mill Creek Citizens Patrol

A large turnout is expected; please plan accordingly regarding traffic and parking:

• Main Street between 148th Street S.E. and City Hall North will be closed to all parking between 10:30 a.m. and noon. 

• 153rd Street S.E. will be blocked to through traffic beginning at 10:30 a.m. and will reopen once the parade passes. 

• From Mill Creek Blvd, traffic can turn north on Main Street but will be diverted to an access road south of Town Center. 

• The north L.A. Fitness parking lot will close at 8:00 a.m. for parade staging; patrons can park in the south lot; however, once the parade begins at 11:00 a.m., access in and out will be temporarily stopped.

To learn more about the ceremony and parade, visit millcreekwa.gov/veteransday